MVP ACCEPTS SEAT IN FIBA CENTAL BOARD
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Sep 2014
Pangilinan.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan flies to Madrid today to officially accept an invitation from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) for him to sit as member of the influential Central Board.
Pangilinan, head of the vast MVP business group that includes telecommunications, electric distribution and infrastructure, will be the only third Filipino to earn the distinction becoming member of the Central Board, the first two being former Senator Ambrosio Padiila and Gonzalo ?Lito? Puyat II.
Puyat the longest serving president of the now-defunct Basketball Association of the Philippines from 1969 to 1995, went to serve the world?s governing body in basketball as its president for two terms from 1984 t0 1996.
Pangilinan was invited to be a member of the Central Board by FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann when they met in Spain in connection with the on-going FIBA World Cup.
Pangilinan, MVP to the international and national sports and business sectors, is expected to submit the country?s bid for the hosting of the 2019 World Cup during the Central Board meeting.
He refused to answer though the question on the chances of the bid except to say: ?Alam na naman nila ang naging success ng hosting natin nag FIBA Asia World Cup elimination last year, kaya sana magkaroon ng weight yun.?
Pangilinan himself admitted, during a phone patch interview in yesterday?s ?Tropang ?BisTag? radio program aired over DZEC, that his presence in the FIBA Central Board will mean a lot in the country?s bid to stage the 2019 World Cup.
?Not only that, I also hope that my presence in that powerful body to be a big boost in further propagation of the sport of basketball not only here in our country but Asia as well,? MVP told his interviewers.
?This is a distinct honor given to me as a person to be allowed to serve basketball more. Isang malaking karangalan ito hindi lamang sa akin kundi pati sa ating bansa. ?What I can promise to those who chose me to become a member of this body that I will be doing my best to perform the jobs tasked to be given me,? he said.
Pangilinan also hopes to bring to FIBA?S attention the case of naturalized player Andray Blatche, who the Olympic council of Asia did not allow to reinforce the Philippine team to the coming 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
?Hinti naman natin ipipilit an gating gusto. Kung yun talaga ang desisyon ng OCA, igagalang natin yun,? he clarified though. ?Ang gusto lamang nating mangyari ay maging malinaw sana ang rule na dapat makapangyari in in determining the eligibility of an athlete to compete in the International Olympic-Committee sanctioned competitions.?
The SBP has filed an appeal to OCA?s decision in regards to Blatche?s status with Philippine sports Commission chair and Philippine delegation chef de mission Richie Garcia and BPC consultant Mauricio ?Moying? Martelino tasked of representing the country in the eligibility meeting scheduled sometime before the games opening ceremony.
Garcia and Martelino also left for Incheon yesterday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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